31 Jan Co-Pro Targets Part 3: The U.S. Independents
In Part three of my series on companies you should target for your Chinese co-production, I review several American companies that should be on your radar.
To see other blogs in this series – here are the links:
Part 1: US Major Studios https://wp.me/p8U8pg-rT
Part 2: The Chinese Majors https://wp.me/p8U8pg-sF
So which US independents should you target? Here’s my shortlist.
Allegory
A new company on the scene is Allegory.
Why? Director Sam Raimi (director of Spider-Manetc.) launched a JV with Beijing Cultural Investments. https://bit.ly/2BXiSc9 Will focus on Raimi’s directing projects as well as other director-driven projects.
Activities: Production
Representative Film: New company but Raimi directed Spider-Man,The Evil Dead, etc.
Website: ghosthousepictures.com (no website yet for Allegory but Ghost House is also Raimi’s company).
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2BYYSFJ
Contact: 310 785 3900 (Raimi’s other company – Ghost House Pictures)
Alpha Pictures
Additionally, Alpha Picture is on the list due to their L.A.-based film company.
Why? Part of the Chinese company – Alpha Group which specializes in animation – Alpha Pictures has created an L.A.-based live-action feature film company focusing on U.S. – China co-productions (some of which will be based on their animation IP). Has a partnership with New Regency Productions (Assassins Creed) China’s Alpha Group Launches L.A.-based Feature Animation
Activities: Animation, Toys, and feature film
Representative Film: The Mermaid
Website: https://www.gdalpha.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://bit.ly/2F33DBl
Contact: 86 02 038783278 3014
US address: 1607 S. Campus Ave. Ontario, CA 91761
广东奥飞动漫文化股份有限公司, Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture Company)
Amblin Partners
Conversely, Stephen Spielberg’s company is on the list due to his backing by Alibaba.
Why? China’s powerhouse internet company Alibaba – has taken a stake in Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. Will Team on Global Pics https://bit.ly/2s6Qq30
The company’s investment partners include Participant Media, Reliance Entertainment, Entertainment One (eOne), Alibaba Pictures and Universal Pictures.
Activities: Production, Distribution
Representative Film: A Dogs Purpose
Website: amblinpartners.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2Ar79SV
Contact: 818 733 9438
Anthem & Song
Moreover, a new start-up by the Russo Brothers is a must for this list.
Why? Start-up studio to be based in Los Angeles and Beijing that will focus on Chinese language pictures. Anthony and Joe Russo are the powerhouses that consulted on Wolf Warrior II’s blockbuster success. ($780M USD)
Russo Brothers Launch Studio to Produce Chinese-Language Films https://bit.ly/2F3lcCj
Activities: Production
Representative Film: Avengers: Infinity War
Website: bullittbranded.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2R3YaS0
Contact: 4242688237 (for their other company AGBO) – no info on A&S
Easternlight Films / Chinalight
As expected – Easternlight is on the list due to their dedication to Asian films and expanding into co-productions.
Why? Their newest division – Chinalight is looking for China-Australian co-productions. For specific China-Australian co-productions contact jenevieve@arclightfilms.com
Activities: Production / Sales
Representative Film: Triple Threat
Website: arclightfilms.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2R4WDey
Contact: 1 310 777 8855
Avva Pic
Next on the list is Avva Pictures.
Why? Partners on a film fund called Kirin. Kirin Media and Shanghai Longzhilin Culture Investment Partnership are developing several US-China co-productions.
Kirin Media, Longzhilin Fund Set Diverse U.S.-China Film Slate https://bit.ly/2F5yRZl
Activities: Production
Representative Film: Small Town Crime
Website:www.avvapicture.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://bit.ly/2Rnqb6H Contact: 650 847 9090 (Burlingame, CA)
Mili Pictures
Why? Run Bill Borden who has worked on various China projects (Mermaid, Disney High School Musical: China.) Mili Pictures is a worldwide family entertainment brand, based in China.
Activities: Production
Representative Film: Dragon Nest: Warriors’ Dawn
Website: www.milipictures.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://bit.ly/2BXuhsg
Contact: Mili Pictures China 86 21 50825016or Bill’s LA office at First Street Films 3103839160 phone
Cinema Libre Studio
Why? Los Angeles-based mini-studio Cinema Libre has entered into a wide-ranging film and TV co-production partnership with Chinese entertainment company Datang Brilliant Media. https://yhoo.it/2RtiOKV
They will co-produce film and TV projects in Europe and the U.S.
Activities: Production, Distribution, Sales
Representative Film: Master
Website: cinemalibrestudio.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2CMA4SZ
Contact: 818 588 3033
Cristal pic
Why? Cristal was founded and bankrolled by China’s East Light Media to finance and produce mid-to-high budgeted, English-language motion pictures for domestic and global theatrical distribution with specific appeal to the Chinese marketplace.
Activities: Production, Distribution
Representative Film: Hitman’s Bodyguard
Website: None listed
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2LNncz8
Contact: 323 471 3330
DMG
Why? Founded in China – DMG has over 20 years’ experience in East-West relations.
Activities: Production, Distribution, Talent Management
Representative Film: Blockers
Website: dmg-entertainment.com
Cinando or IMDB:
Contact: 310 275 3750
HBO
Why? HBO (Asia) has an agreement with China Movie Channel to co-produce Chinese language martial arts films for TV. https://bit.ly/2LOGXGs
Activities: Distribution
Representative Film: MI-5
Website: hboasia.com and www.hbo.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://bit.ly/2LRJ785
Contact: (New York) 1 212 512 1000
Insiders (Madriver)
Why? Chinese production/distribution house – Bliss Media acquired a stake in Insiders last year.
Activities: Sales
Representative Film: Jackie
Website: None listed
Cinando or IMDB: https://bit.ly/2BZKaON
Contact: 1 424 777 0240
Lucida Ent/ Lion Rock Productions
Why? Both are run by Chinese producer Terence Chang
Activities: Producer (and talent management for Lucida Entertainment)
Representative Film: The Adventurers
Website: None listed
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2s7kz21
Contact: 323 293 8833 (Lion Rock)
Meridian Entertainment
Why? Franklin Leonard’s The Black List (an annual survey of executives of their “most liked” motion picture screenplays) Meridian Entertainment formed a partnership to produce and finance three-five English language films each year.
Meridian can fully finance movies with budgets of $15 million and under. The partnership can also bring in co-financing partners.
Activities: Production / Distribution
Representative Film: Casting Jon Benet
Website: meridianent.com.cn
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2Rqg0OH
Contact: 86 10 65125816
Endurance Media / Mandalay Pictures
Why? Shanghai-based investment firm Puji Capital has launched Puji Films, a new entity that will focus on investments into the Chinese and Hollywood film industry. They are backing Peter Guber’s Mandalay Endurance Media Ventures.
Activities: Sales (Mandalay) Production, Financing (Endurance) – note – no IMDB page for “Mandalay Endurance”
Representative Film: Just Getting Started
Website: mandalay.com endurance-media.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2CcJkhN (Mandalay)
https://imdb.to/2M5GD6o(Endurance Media)
Contact: 323 549 4300 (Mandalay) 310 392 3900 (Endurance)
SK Global
SK Global is a merged company between Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Ivanhoe Pictures (a Hong Kong based local language content company). Sidney Kimmel (pre-merger) received an equity investment fund from China Cultural and Entertainment Fund.
Accordingly, they have offices in the US as well as Hong Kong and Beijing (as well as Seoul).
Why? JV between Sidney Kimmel and Ivanhoe. Hong Kong base. Asian star connections.
Activities: Development, finance, production
Representative Film: Crazy Rich Asians
Website:skglobalentertainment.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2SMySVo
Contact: (310) 777-8818
Studio 8
Why? Backed by China’s Fosun International. Sony Pictures was also a minority investor.
Activities: Production, Distribution
Representative Film: Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
Website: https://www.studio8.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2RLHMFr
Contact: 310 244 4000
STX Entertainment
Why? – Has partnerships in China. Some of the Chinese owners include Hony Capital, Tencent, and PCCW.
Filed for an IPO in Hong Kong this year. Its goal is to bridge the world’s two biggest film markets – China and the US.
Activities: Development, Production, Finance, Distribution, Marketing
Representative Film: Second Act
Website: https://www.stxentertainment.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2D78OPe
Contact: +1 818 524 7000
Symbolic Exchange
Why? Led by James Schamus who was the EP on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Has a first-look deal with China’s Meridian Entertainment.
Meridian will assist with the development and financing of Symbolic’s English-language films. Moreover, they will also co-develop Chinese projects.
Activities: Production
Representative Film: Benji
Website: (none listed)
Cinando or IMDB: https://bit.ly/2RKVb0C
Contact: 646 786 1892 (New York).
The H Collective
Why? They have Chinese (and American) backers. Has an agreement for Sony to distribute their films. Has a deal with China’s online video platform giant – iQiyi – to co-produce three films.
Activities: Production, Finance, Marketing Distribution
Representative Film: Is makingxXx 4, distributed Wolf Warrior 2 (in partnership with Well Go USA) in the US.
Website: thehcollectivefilms.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2UuVcDp
Contact: 310-315-6940
JiaFlix Enterprises
Why? Has a partnership with China’s state-owned China Movie Channel and 1905. They offer expertise on local regulations, provide production assistance and distribution.
The company helps produce and market films by securing locations, casting local talent.
Activities: Production, VOD platform
Representative Film: Transformers: Age of Extinction
Website: http://jiaflixsite.com/index.php/en/
Cinando or IMDB: https://imdb.to/2HfOEH1
Contact: 1 312 785 9900 (Chicago)
Well Go USA
Why? A leader in Asian film distribution. Has offices in the US, Taiwan, and China.
Activities: Distribution, Interactive, and New Media
Representative Film: Kung Fu Yoga
Website: www.wellgousa.com
Cinando or IMDB: https://bit.ly/2TW9eOn
Contact: 972 265 4317 (Texas)
Who would you put on your shortlist? Leave a comment below.
Next up – the Chinese independent film companies.
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